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Medical Author:

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Dr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer conducting spine biomechanics research. He then attended medical school at University of Health Sciences. He is board eligible in orthopaedic surgery.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is spondylolisthesis?
• What causes spondylolisthesis?
• What are the risk factors for spondylolisthesis?
• What are the symptoms of spondylolisthesis?
• How is spondylolisthesis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for spondylolisthesis?
• Can spondylolisthesis be prevented?
• What are the complications of spondylolisthesis?
• What is the outlook for spondylolisthesis?
• Spondylolisthesis At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Spondylolisthesis - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Spondylolisthesis - Effective Treatments
• Patient Comments: Spondylolisthesis - Causes
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Spondylolisthesis Index

Spondylolisthesis cannot be completely prevented. Certain activities such as gymnastics, weight-lifting and football are known to increase the stress on the vertebrae and increase the risk of developing spondylolisthesis.

Complications of spondylolisthesis include chronic pain in the lower back or legs, as well as numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs. Severe compression of the nerve can cause problems with bowel or bladder control, but this is very uncommon.

The outlook for patients with spondylolisthesis is good. In most cases patients respond well to a conservative treatment plan. For those with continued severe symptoms, surgery can help alleviate the leg symptoms by creating more space for the nerve roots. The back pain can be helped through a lumbar fusion.

• Spondylolisthesis is a forward or backward slippage of one vertebra on an adjacent vertebra.
  
  
• Causes of spondylolisthesis include trauma, degenerative, tumor, and birth defects.
  
  
• Symptoms of spondylolisthesis include lower back or leg pain, hamstring tightness, and numbness and tingling in the legs.
  
  
• Most people with spondylolisthesis can be treated conservatively, without the need for surgery.
  
  
• Patients who fail to improve with conservative treatment may be a candidate for surgery.